diff --git a/core/bridge.js b/core/bridge.js
index e2e79f8ca9..6a8ede8608 100644
--- a/core/bridge.js
+++ b/core/bridge.js
@@ -12,10 +12,14 @@ const errors = require('@tryghost/errors');
 const config = require('./shared/config');
 const logging = require('@tryghost/logging');
 const events = require('./server/lib/common/events');
-const i18n = require('./shared/i18n');
+const tpl = require('@tryghost/tpl');
 const themeEngine = require('./frontend/services/theme-engine');
 const settingsCache = require('./server/services/settings/cache');
 
+const messages = {
+    activateFailed: 'Unable to activate the theme "{theme}".'
+};
+
 class Bridge {
     constructor() {
         /**
@@ -54,7 +58,7 @@ class Bridge {
             }
         } catch (err) {
             logging.error(new errors.InternalServerError({
-                message: i18n.t('errors.middleware.themehandler.activateFailed', {theme: loadedTheme.name}),
+                message: tpl(messages.activateFailed, {theme: loadedTheme.name}),
                 err: err
             }));
         }